OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs
Director of Innovation roles on OPT are available across tech, healthcare, and enterprise consulting sectors. Most positions require STEM OPT eligibility or a humanities extension, and employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after your OPT period. Leadership experience and a relevant graduate degree strengthen your profile significantly.
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JR102070 Research and Innovation Technical Program Assistant (Contingent II - Grant Funded) (Open)
Department:
BSU Research and Innovation, JM
Position Type:
Non-Regular Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Open Date:
09-21-2026
Close Date:
$65,000 - $75,210
Job Description:
Job Description Summary
The Research and Innovation Technical Program Assistant serves as the Division of Research and Innovation's primary technical and business operations support professional, providing functional administration, technology support, business process improvement, data management, communications, and operational support for the University's research enterprise. This position supports research administration systems, electronic workflows, reporting, compliance, training, and strategic initiatives that advance Bowie State University's research mission and Carnegie R2 objectives.
Responsibilities
Research Systems Administration
- Serve as the functional administrator and technical support resource for Kuali Research, Workday, Microsoft 365 applications, SharePoint, Adobe, electronic research administration (eRA) platforms, and future research technologies.
- Provide day-to-day support for research administration systems.
- Configure and maintain user accounts, permissions, security roles, workflow routing, and system configurations.
- Coordinate system maintenance, upgrades, testing, implementation, and release management with Information Technology and software vendors.
- Troubleshoot system issues, resolve user problems, and coordinate vendor support.
- Ensure successful integration and accurate movement of data between research administration and enterprise systems.
- Maintain division technology assets, audio-visual equipment, software licenses, and assigned equipment.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, user manuals, knowledge base articles, and system procedures.
Business Process Improvement & Automation
- Analyze business operations and recommend technology-driven improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
- Design, document, and maintain business process maps, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
- Develop electronic workflows and automate manual business processes using Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Lists, SharePoint, Forms, Teams, and other approved technologies.
- Develop online portals, electronic forms, dashboards, and self-service solutions supporting research administration operations.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through automation, workflow optimization, and technology enhancements.
Data Management & Reporting
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, consistency, and security of research administration data.
- Develop and maintain data standards, documentation, and reporting procedures.
- Monitor research system data, identify discrepancies, perform reconciliations, and coordinate corrective actions.
- Conduct periodic data quality reviews and system audits.
- Develop and maintain dashboards, project trackers, grant lifecycle trackers, compliance trackers, workflow reports, executive dashboards, and performance metrics.
- Assist with institutional reporting, research analytics, data requests, and executive reports supporting strategic planning and Carnegie R2 initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Division's Data Analyst to develop research performance dashboards and institutional metrics.
Communications & Website Management
- Coordinate and maintain the Division of Research and Innovation website, ensuring content remains accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with University branding.
- Manage electronic distribution of newsletters, faculty announcements, marketing materials, presentations, executive reports, and digital communications.
- Maintain electronic document repositories and research administration records.
- Assist with preparation of presentations, executive briefings, reports, and strategic communications for Division leadership.
Training & Customer Support
- Provide technical support to faculty, staff, and research administrators using research administration systems.
- Develop and deliver training workshops, webinars, user guides, quick-reference materials, and instructional resources.
- Coordinate onboarding and ongoing system training for faculty and staff.
- Serve as liaison with software vendors, coordinating service requests, issue resolution, testing, and software enhancements.
Research Administration Support
- Support proposal development, award management, compliance, financial administration, reporting, and other research administration functions through effective use of technology.
- Maintain research administration records, agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), subrecipient documentation, and electronic files.
- Assist with tracking grant activities, reporting deadlines, project milestones, and operational initiatives.
- Collaborate with faculty, sponsors, campus departments, and external partners to improve research administration services.
Research Compliance, Security & Governance
- Support compliance-related research platforms in collaboration with the Research Compliance and Integrity Officer.
- Coordinate user access reviews and maintain appropriate security permissions.
- Ensure research administration systems comply with institutional cybersecurity standards and data governance requirements.
- Maintain documentation supporting audits, monitoring activities, and regulatory reviews.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Research Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience supporting research administration systems, enterprise applications, business process improvement, technology operations, project coordination, or related technical support functions.
- Experience supporting enterprise applications such as Workday, Kuali Research, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Adobe, or comparable enterprise systems.
- Demonstrated experience developing workflows, dashboards, reports, and technical documentation.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Research Administration, or a related field.
- Professional certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Google IT Support Professional, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Certified: Power Automate, or related certifications.
- Experience supporting sponsored programs administration in a college or university environment.
- Experience with electronic research administration (eRA) systems, Tableau, Microsoft Lists, Forms, Power Automate, Teams, and SharePoint administration.
- Knowledge of federal research administration regulations and sponsored programs operations.
- Experience developing websites, electronic forms, training materials, executive dashboards, and digital communications.
Conditions of Employment
- This is a nonexempt position subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Position may be contingent upon continued funding and institutional needs.
- Successful completion of a background investigation is required.
- Some evening or weekend work may be required to support system implementations, training, or research events.
- Must be able to work on-site and travel occasionally for professional development, training, or conferences.
- Must maintain confidentiality and comply with University policies, data governance standards, and information security requirements.
Additional Job Information:
Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance; paid time for paid sick leave and annual leave; 10 paid holidays per year, tuition remission and supplemental retirement.
Bowie State University shall not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities of Bowie State University are and shall be in conformity with all pertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in all areas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.
Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shall be extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have as its firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring, rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention and dismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. The University will stress equal access for employees and applicants for employment to all programs and services provided by the University both on and off campus. The University will also provide equal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination with respect to women and members of minority groups in all its operations. In addition, the University shall promote equal opportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuing Affirmative Action Program.
The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonable accommodations to promote the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the University's business.
In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activities such as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act or practice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended.
Job Posting:
JR102070 Research and Innovation Technical Program Assistant (Contingent II - Grant Funded) (Open)
Department:
BSU Research and Innovation, JM
Position Type:
Non-Regular Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Open Date:
09-21-2026
Close Date:
$65,000 - $75,210
Job Description:
Job Description Summary
The Research and Innovation Technical Program Assistant serves as the Division of Research and Innovation's primary technical and business operations support professional, providing functional administration, technology support, business process improvement, data management, communications, and operational support for the University's research enterprise. This position supports research administration systems, electronic workflows, reporting, compliance, training, and strategic initiatives that advance Bowie State University's research mission and Carnegie R2 objectives.
Responsibilities
Research Systems Administration
- Serve as the functional administrator and technical support resource for Kuali Research, Workday, Microsoft 365 applications, SharePoint, Adobe, electronic research administration (eRA) platforms, and future research technologies.
- Provide day-to-day support for research administration systems.
- Configure and maintain user accounts, permissions, security roles, workflow routing, and system configurations.
- Coordinate system maintenance, upgrades, testing, implementation, and release management with Information Technology and software vendors.
- Troubleshoot system issues, resolve user problems, and coordinate vendor support.
- Ensure successful integration and accurate movement of data between research administration and enterprise systems.
- Maintain division technology assets, audio-visual equipment, software licenses, and assigned equipment.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, user manuals, knowledge base articles, and system procedures.
Business Process Improvement & Automation
- Analyze business operations and recommend technology-driven improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
- Design, document, and maintain business process maps, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
- Develop electronic workflows and automate manual business processes using Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Lists, SharePoint, Forms, Teams, and other approved technologies.
- Develop online portals, electronic forms, dashboards, and self-service solutions supporting research administration operations.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through automation, workflow optimization, and technology enhancements.
Data Management & Reporting
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, consistency, and security of research administration data.
- Develop and maintain data standards, documentation, and reporting procedures.
- Monitor research system data, identify discrepancies, perform reconciliations, and coordinate corrective actions.
- Conduct periodic data quality reviews and system audits.
- Develop and maintain dashboards, project trackers, grant lifecycle trackers, compliance trackers, workflow reports, executive dashboards, and performance metrics.
- Assist with institutional reporting, research analytics, data requests, and executive reports supporting strategic planning and Carnegie R2 initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Division's Data Analyst to develop research performance dashboards and institutional metrics.
Communications & Website Management
- Coordinate and maintain the Division of Research and Innovation website, ensuring content remains accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with University branding.
- Manage electronic distribution of newsletters, faculty announcements, marketing materials, presentations, executive reports, and digital communications.
- Maintain electronic document repositories and research administration records.
- Assist with preparation of presentations, executive briefings, reports, and strategic communications for Division leadership.
Training & Customer Support
- Provide technical support to faculty, staff, and research administrators using research administration systems.
- Develop and deliver training workshops, webinars, user guides, quick-reference materials, and instructional resources.
- Coordinate onboarding and ongoing system training for faculty and staff.
- Serve as liaison with software vendors, coordinating service requests, issue resolution, testing, and software enhancements.
Research Administration Support
- Support proposal development, award management, compliance, financial administration, reporting, and other research administration functions through effective use of technology.
- Maintain research administration records, agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), subrecipient documentation, and electronic files.
- Assist with tracking grant activities, reporting deadlines, project milestones, and operational initiatives.
- Collaborate with faculty, sponsors, campus departments, and external partners to improve research administration services.
Research Compliance, Security & Governance
- Support compliance-related research platforms in collaboration with the Research Compliance and Integrity Officer.
- Coordinate user access reviews and maintain appropriate security permissions.
- Ensure research administration systems comply with institutional cybersecurity standards and data governance requirements.
- Maintain documentation supporting audits, monitoring activities, and regulatory reviews.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Research Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience supporting research administration systems, enterprise applications, business process improvement, technology operations, project coordination, or related technical support functions.
- Experience supporting enterprise applications such as Workday, Kuali Research, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Adobe, or comparable enterprise systems.
- Demonstrated experience developing workflows, dashboards, reports, and technical documentation.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Research Administration, or a related field.
- Professional certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Google IT Support Professional, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Certified: Power Automate, or related certifications.
- Experience supporting sponsored programs administration in a college or university environment.
- Experience with electronic research administration (eRA) systems, Tableau, Microsoft Lists, Forms, Power Automate, Teams, and SharePoint administration.
- Knowledge of federal research administration regulations and sponsored programs operations.
- Experience developing websites, electronic forms, training materials, executive dashboards, and digital communications.
Conditions of Employment
- This is a nonexempt position subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Position may be contingent upon continued funding and institutional needs.
- Successful completion of a background investigation is required.
- Some evening or weekend work may be required to support system implementations, training, or research events.
- Must be able to work on-site and travel occasionally for professional development, training, or conferences.
- Must maintain confidentiality and comply with University policies, data governance standards, and information security requirements.
Additional Job Information:
Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance; paid time for paid sick leave and annual leave; 10 paid holidays per year, tuition remission and supplemental retirement.
Bowie State University shall not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities of Bowie State University are and shall be in conformity with all pertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in all areas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.
Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shall be extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have as its firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring, rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention and dismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. The University will stress equal access for employees and applicants for employment to all programs and services provided by the University both on and off campus. The University will also provide equal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination with respect to women and members of minority groups in all its operations. In addition, the University shall promote equal opportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuing Affirmative Action Program.
The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonable accommodations to promote the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the University's business.
In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activities such as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act or practice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended.
See all 89+ OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Director Of Innovation
Target companies with dedicated innovation functions
Large enterprises in technology, financial services, and healthcare are most likely to have standalone innovation teams. These organizations have established HR processes for OPT and H-1B sponsorship, making them far more receptive to international candidates than smaller firms.
Align your degree field to the role explicitly
Director of Innovation roles often fall under specialty occupation requirements. Make your application letter and resume explicit about how your degree in engineering, business, or a related field directly qualifies you for the innovation strategy work the employer describes.
Quantify your innovation impact with measurable outcomes
Employers sponsoring senior-level OPT candidates need to justify the hiring decision internally. Concrete metrics, such as revenue generated, products launched, or cost reductions driven by initiatives you led, make the business case for sponsorship far stronger than general leadership claims.
Engage directly with the hiring manager, not just HR
For director-level roles, decisions often rest with executives rather than recruiters. Connecting directly with the chief innovation officer or equivalent before applying signals strategic intent and gives you an opportunity to address OPT authorization before it becomes a screening concern.
Time your applications around your OPT start date carefully
Many companies avoid hiring candidates whose OPT authorization is less than 12 months from starting. Apply early enough that you can start within the first few months of your OPT period, giving employers a comfortable runway before your H-1B eligibility window opens.
Emphasize cross-functional leadership and ambiguity tolerance
Innovation directors routinely operate across product, engineering, and business strategy without formal authority. Highlighting experience leading cross-functional initiatives demonstrates the soft skills employers prioritize at this level, which can outweigh visa-related hesitations for the right candidate.
Director Of Innovation OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Director of Innovation?
Yes. F-1 students with approved OPT authorization can work in Director of Innovation roles as long as the position is directly related to their field of study. The role typically qualifies under business, engineering, or technology degree fields. STEM OPT extension applicants get up to 36 months of total authorization if the employer meets E-Verify requirements.
Do Director of Innovation employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Larger organizations with established innovation functions, particularly in technology and healthcare, are among the more consistent H-1B sponsors at the director level. Sponsorship is not universal, so it is worth verifying a company's sponsorship history before investing heavily in an application. Migrate Mate filters Director of Innovation jobs by OPT and sponsorship eligibility so you can focus your search on employers who have sponsored before.
Does a Director of Innovation role qualify as a STEM OPT position?
It depends on your degree field. If you hold a STEM-designated degree in engineering, computer science, data science, or a related discipline, and the role involves technical innovation work, it may qualify for STEM OPT. Roles framed primarily around business strategy and organizational design under a business administration degree typically do not qualify for the STEM extension.
What happens to my OPT status if my Director of Innovation contract ends early?
If your employment ends before your OPT authorization expires, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work but must find new employment, change status, or depart the U.S. For director-level roles with project-based or contract structures, this risk is real. Maintaining open communication with your DSO throughout employment helps you respond quickly if your situation changes unexpectedly.
Is a Director of Innovation role considered a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
OPT itself does not require a specialty occupation determination the way H-1B does. However, your authorized OPT work must relate directly to your degree program. When you later apply for H-1B sponsorship in this role, USCIS will evaluate whether Director of Innovation qualifies as a specialty occupation, which often depends on how the employer defines the position's educational requirements in the job description.